Edison Township became embroiled in controversy after Council President Nish Patel proposed an ordinance aiming to restrict the use of “props” during the public comments in late November, according to the Edison Reporter.
While O.2239-2024 did not specifically name these items, when Patel was directly asked if it would allow for the U.S. flag and Constitution, he responded, “any props will be considered not conducive to good order and as the President I am making that call.”
During a debate over the ordinance, Council Vice President Margot Harris asked, “How are props as an expression not part of the First Amendment?”
The controversy grew when Edison resident and lawyer Joel Bassoff was removed from a town council meeting by police for holding a personal-sized flag as a form of protest against the rule, Fox News reported.
Video from the meeting shared by The Garden State Instagram account shows the moment Patel ordered cops to escort Bassoff out:
“It’s my constitutional right to do this,” the lawyer said, before telling the council president that he will “lose” a legal battle over the ordinance, which received applause from other residents.
“Your position should be forfeited. By your actions, you forfeit every right to preside over this meeting,” Bassoff continued, as the cops attempted to get him to sit down.
“Officers, if you can have him removed,” Patel asked into the microphone, a move vocally supported by another member of the panel.
Despite Bassoff already returning to his seat, the officers followed the council members’ directions and ejected him from the meeting.
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